PRELIMINARY-RESULTS OF GALILEO DIRECT IMAGING OF S-L-9 IMPACTS

Direct Galileo imaging data were obtained of the Jupiter impact sites for Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 fragments K, N, and W during their early, h igh-energy phases. Initial similar to 5s-long flashes for all 3 impact s result from radiant bolides; analogous, abrupt onsets of luminosity observed by the Galileo photopolarimeter for other impacts must also b e the bolide phase. The 3 bolides were dim at 0.56 or 0.89 mu m (few p ercent of total Jupiter) and had similar amplitudes, despite huge late -stage differences observed from Earth. Subsequent, continuous luminos ity lasting similar to 40s for K and similar to 10s for N is optical r adiation as the initial bolide train erupts into a ''fireball''. The K light curve may show (a) two impacts 10s apart or (b) delayed evoluti on of the fireball.